Question 1: If you were to start a new business right this minute, what would it be?

I would love to start a business selling my knitting projects. I love to knit and would love any excuse to knit something fun and new. But, at the same time, regardless of how unfit I am to actually run a profitable business, I think one of the main reasons why I wouldn’t actually start this type of business is because the thing I actually love most about knitting is the joy I get out of making nice presents for my friends, surprising them and making them happy. All that would be different if I was knitting for-profit and would likely steal the overall enjoyment and relaxation that I gain from knitting.

I feel like our capitalistic culture tends to push people into turning their talents or hobbies into profits, whether it’s crafts, design, performance or any other type of talent. Of course, some people really make it work and love nothing more than to make a living off their passion, since it feels like you’re hardly working at all, its incredibly engaging and enjoyable for them. So if you’re going to monetize your talent, then I think the most important thing is the reason why you’re doing it. It has to be your own individual choice driven by your true passion and desire, and not something you’re pressured into by capitalism which considers an leisure time as wasted time that could be used for productive activities.

We have to understand that rest and leisure are actually radical acts in a capitalistic world. Doing something just for you, and your enjoyment is actually breaking the system. It shouldn’t be this way, but it is. Rest should be valued, and integrated in a much more positive way not considered waste, or shameful.

Question 2: What do you consider to be boring?

What I think is boring is how our whole lives are centered around, going to school for 20 years so that we can get a job that will pay our bills, maybe have some left over to dump into some procreated black holes (children), and then worry the rest of the time about saving money for the years when you can’t do the job that you spent the whole beginning of your life pursuing.

Now that’s a heck of a boring life centered around capitalistic live-to-work and work-to-live mentality. Where any moment not spent working toward the ultimate goal of making money is considered wasted should always be avoided. If that’s all our lives are supposed to be, then, that is a very boring life that I don’t want any part of. Sadly, I don’t think we have much of a say in it right now, it’s work or die, but like I said before, it shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to be (#abolishcapitalism).

Question 3: How do you feel about bonsai trees? Have you ever had one? If not, do you want one?

I think bonsai trees are absolutely beautiful. I love trees, so the idea of having my own personal tiny tree in my house all to myself, is such a wonderful concept. I love plants, but I admittedly have trouble remembering to adequately care for them, which is why I have never tried, and probably could not, handle having a bonsai tree.

In today’s society, where trees and animals are worth more dead than alive, I think having your own tiny jungle of trees and plants in your home is such a radical act. As is simply just having your own garden and growing your own food. Caring for something other than yourself, as well as self-sustenance through the maintaining of beautiful plant life is not only healthy and fulfilling, dedicating time to preserving life is another small yet important way of fighting the system.